The Post’s Steve Serby chatted recently with Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson about A-Rod, Yanks-Sox and his personal favorites.

Q: Is A-Rod ready to be Mr. October?

A: That remains to be seen. He certainly has the talent. But you have to get your mind right, and you gotta be mean to do that.

Q: What do you mean by mean?

A: You have to be able to shut things out. You have to be single-minded. [Derek] Jeter has it. I think [Gary] Sheffield has it. You can’t be concerned about being nice to everybody. You gotta be mean.

Q: Do you see a different A-Rod now than you saw earlier in the season?

A: A-Rod is adjusting to his surroundings more and more all the time. Once he gets adjusted and comfortable here, he’s a guy that’ll chase (Barry) Bonds. His ballpark will hurt him.

Q: Describe your mentality at the plate.

A: For the opposing pitcher, it would be, “Get a good night’s rest, have a big breakfast, take your vitamins, kiss your wife and baby goodbye,” and you better come to the ballpark ready.

Q: Which hitter today reminds you of you?

A: I would say Sheffield, because he’s fearless, although I struck out more than he did and he’s a high-average hitter.

Q: Would the Yankees have a psychological advantage over the Red Sox in another LCS?

A: I think the Yankees have a psychological advantage over everybody because they win most of the time. The last time I talked to A-Rod, one of the things we talked about was willing yourself to believe Yankee Stadium has something mystical about it and Pinstripes do do something for you.

Q: Is the rivalry hotter now than when Bucky Bleeping Dent cursed Fenway?

A: The intensity is greater because they haven’t been able to beat us that much longer. At the same time, the media is so much more concentrated.

Q: MVP – Sheffield or Manny Ramirez?

A: It could be Sheffield, it could be (David) Ortiz, it could be Manny. The Red Sox really hung him out to dry. Manny said, “I don’t have a problem with it, I know I can still hit.” I have admiration for how he handled it. You should consider Mariano Rivera MVP.

Q: Is he the best closer you’ve seen?

A: I think I can put Rollie Fingers in Mariano’s class.

Q: What was your favorite month as a child?

A: April and June. I lived in Pennsylvania and as soon as April got here, you could go outside and play sports.

Q: If Barry Bonds played here, would they have named a candy bar after him?

A: They might have changed the name of the city.

Q: Will Bonds have an easier time chasing the home-run record than Hank Aaron did?

A: Things have gotten better but they need to get mo better (chuckles).

Q: Will Bonds reach 800 home runs?

A: If they’d pitch to him he’d hit 1,000.

Q: If George Steinbrenner wasn’t the owner of the Yankees, what would he be?

A: Either a general or a truant officer.

Q: Steinbrenner’s ownership style?

A: A win at all costs.

Q: What makes Joe Torre Joe Torre?

A: Great awareness of who he is and his surroundings. I’ve hardly ever seen him speak without thinking. He always has a pause. He’s able to allow guys to be stars yet at the same time he’s the most powerful voice in the clubhouse. He doesn’t offend anybody with it.

Q: Who would you pick to replace him when he retires?

A: Joe’s gotta be here as long as we can keep him.

Q: Your 13-year-old daughter Kimberly saw your three-home-run World Series epic against the Dodgers for the first time this summer?

A: We went on a 10-day vacation fishing and horseback riding. She said, “Gosh, Dad, I didn’t know you were that good!”

A: I wouldn’t ever use them. I’d be scared what it would do to my health. I was afraid to drink too much – I swung and missed too much.

Q: You met Jackie Robinson in 1972.

A: You kinda were in awe when you were around him, how he changed America for blacks and whites. At the same time, I was a bit shaken because he was diabetic and blind. It was tragic. He wasn’t even 50 years old.

Q: You’re interested in being an owner, and you’d be a natural; what would you take from The Boss?

A: I’m gonna demand as much as he demands .Ñ.Ñ. I’d probably be easier on my employees. He’s a little rough on the staff.

Q: One person you’d want with you on a deserted island?

A: If you had Jesus Christ with you, you got everything you need.

Q: Best piece of advice your father gave you?

A: Don’t make excuses; get an education because it’s something they can’t take away from you.

Q: Greatest fear?

A: If I didn’t get into heaven; if my child turned against me.

Q: Favorite car?

A: My ’55 Chevy; ’67 Corvette; 275 GTB/4 (’67 Ferrari convertible).

Q: Favorite meal?

A: I eat sushi because I’m health-conscious, but if I was going to have a last meal, it would be fried chicken, black-eyed peas, succotash, turnip greens, rice, gravy, cornbread, a big glass of Kool-Aid and three scoops of chocolate mint ice cream.